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Port Moody yoga instructor is ready for her closeup

Ava Stone loves life and driving fast. She’s about to find out how those blend with film stardom.

Ava Stone loves life and driving fast. She’s about to find out how those blend with film stardom.

The 75-year-old Coquitlam resident credits the former with the inner peace and self-awareness she has developed over 20 years as a yoga instructor at the Port Moody Rec Centre. The latter she blames on her jet-black Nissan 350z sports car.

The stardom may come from her part in a new documentary film that profiles several active seniors, among them an 85-year-old ski instructor in Whistler and a champion ultra-marathoner of the same age from Richmond.

The Fit Generation has already won several awards at festivals in NIce, London, San Francisco and Berlin. On Sunday, it gets its Canadian premiere at the VanCity Theatre in Vancouver.

Stone said her involvement in the project came about when one of her students mentioned the fun and vitality she brings to her yoga classes to the film’s director and producer, Elton Hubner. Though reluctant at first to participate, she said he attended one of her classes and was won over.

“The film’s key message is that if you keep your mind and body active, you can still live an inspiring, adventurous and incredibly active life,” Hubner said.

Stone does just that. She teaches yoga four hours a week to classes as large as 50 people — of all ages. She said she works hard to ensure they all leave the session laughing and feeling better about life.

“It’s a real joy,” said Stone, who first started practising yoga in the 1970s. “I have a good audience to work with.”

Stone said over the course of more than three years, Hubner and his crew filmed in her class, at her home, in her garden and, of course, in her beloved sports car. She said the presence of the camera didn’t diminish her gift for the gab that energizes her yoga.

“I just talk whatever comes into my head,” she said, “although sometimes I wish I looked better or said something else.”

Stone said being a part of the film has presented her with a platform to get her message to a broader audience.

“I can create my way,” she said. “It’s a whole new life.”

That’s fine with Hubner.

“We want younger generations to be inspired by the stars of the film and to see the possibilities that are available to them in their years to come,” he said.

Stone said she’s taking her imminent stardom in stride.

“When you just enjoy yourself, things fall into place.”

• To find out more about the film, or to book tickets to the premiere, go to www.thefitgeneration.ca.